Bradford textile company Clissold has designed a special Yorkshire cloth, thought to be the first of its kind.

The cloth will be unveiled at reception being held in Bradford City Hall on Sunday to mark the start of The World Wool Conference which takes place at the Hanover Hotel, Bradford next Monday and Tuesday.

Keith Madeley, chairman of the Yorkshire Society, and Barry Whitaker, chairman of Paradise Street-based textile equipment firm Allertex and the Bradford College Textile Advisory Group, will both wear suits made from the fabric at the reception.

Clissold, based in Otley Road, designed the fabric, wove it in Keighley and used its finishing division in Huddersfield to complete the cloth.

Adrian Berry, managing director of Clissold, said: "The Yorkshire Society contacted us about designing the cloth and we came up with a few ideas, eventually settling on a navy blue, broken herringbone fabric with light blue highlights.

"It is quite an honour for us and we are please that the society is so active in helping promote local industries."

The firm has initially made enough of the fabric to make about 40 suits.

Even before the cloth has been unveiled six people have contacted the Yorkshire Society to express an interest in buying the fabric.

Mr Madeley said: "We believe this is the first time the county has had its own cloth."

Depending on the success of the cloth Clissold may come up with other designs.

Mr Madeley added: "On the back of the gentleman's suit we are hoping to launch a women's suit made from the cloth - black with little white dots to symbolise the white rose of Yorkshire - we have to consider our lady members too!"

Clissold was founded in 1910 by John Henry Clissold, who opened his first manufacturing business in Cleckheaton.

The firm makes fabrics for men's suits and women's tailored garments.

More than 200 people are due to attend The World Wool Conference, organised by the regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward and Bradford Council. For further information on the event visit the web-site

www.worldwoolconference.bilk.ac.uk.